REDIM

A REDIM statement can re-dimension one dynamic(flexible) array or a comma separated list of arrays.

Syntax

REDIM [[[_PRESERVE]]] [[[SHARED]]] ArrayName[typesuffix] ({max_element|low_element[[[TO]] upper_element, ...]}) [[[AS]] Type]

Description

• Can change the number of elements in an array (the present array data is lost unless _PRESERVE is used).
• Dynamic array elements can also be sized or resized by a program user's entry.
• The _PRESERVE option also allows the element range values to be moved upward or downward in QB64 only!
• Array is the name of the array to be dimensioned or re-dimensioned.
• elements is the number of elements the array should hold. Use the optional TO elements2 to set a range.
• Always use the same array TYPE suffix (AS type) or a new array type with the same name may be created.
• REDIM cannot change $STATIC arrays created with a DIM statement unless the $DYNAMIC Metacommand is used!
• To create a dynamic array use the $DYNAMIC metacommand or use REDIM rather than DIM when first creating the array.
• Use REDIM _PRESERVE to change the range or number of array elements without losing the remaining elements. Data may move up or down to accommodate those boundary changes.
• REDIM _PRESERVE cannot change the number of array dimensions or type!
• Dynamic arrays MUST be REDIMensioned if ERASE or CLEAR are used to clear the arrays as they no longer exist.
• When AS is used to declare the type, use AS to retain that type or it will change to SINGLE!
• NOTE: Many QBasic keyword variable names CAN be used with a STRING suffix($) ONLY! You CANNOT use them without the suffix, use a numerical suffix or use DIM, REDIM, _DEFINE, BYVAL or TYPE variable AS statements!
• Warning! Do not use negative array upper bound index values as OS access or "Out of Memory" errors will occur!

Example 1: The $DYNAMIC Metacommand allows an array to be re-sized using DIM and REDIM.

'$DYNAMIC INPUT "Enter array size: ", size DIM Array(size) REDIM Array(2 * size) PRINT UBOUND(Array)

Example 2: Shows the difference between REDIM and REDIM _PRESERVE.

REDIM array(20) array(10) = 24 PRINT array(10) REDIM _PRESERVE array(30) PRINT array(10) REDIM array(15) PRINT array(10)

24 24 0

Explanation: REDIM without _PRESERVE erases the array data and cannot change the number of dimensions.

See also

• Arrays
• DIM, SHARED
• _PRESERVE, ERASE
• $DYNAMIC, $STATIC

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